Description
Warm Oat and Honey Apple Crisp delivers tender apples baked under a crunchy oat topping. A simple dessert that feels like a hug on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- For the Apple Heart:
- Apples (6-8 medium, about 3 lbs)
- Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon)
- Honey (1/4 cup)
- Light Brown Sugar (1/2 cup)
- All-Purpose Flour (2 tablespoons)
- Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
- Ground Nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon)
- For the Crunchy Oat Topping:
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats (1 cup)
- All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup)
- Light Brown Sugar (1/2 cup)
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, 1 stick, cold and cubed)
- Ground Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon)
- Pinch of Salt (1/4 teaspoon)
- Optional Finishing Touches:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Extra Honey (2 tablespoons, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prep the Apples:: First things first, get those apples ready. I usually peel, core, and slice them into about 1/4-inch thick pieces. I’m not super precise, to be honest; some chunky bits add character! Toss them into a large bowl with the lemon juice right away. This keeps them from turning brown while you’re slicing the rest. It’s a small step, but it makes a visual difference for your Warm Oat and Honey Apple Crisp.
- Mix the Filling:: Now for the good stuff! Add the 1/4 cup honey, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to your apples. Give it a good stir, making sure every apple slice is coated in that lovely, sweet mixture. I sometimes use my hands for this; it just feels right and ensures everything is evenly distributed. You’ll start to smell those amazing spices already, which is always a good sign.
- Make the Topping for Warm Oat and Honey Apple Crisp:: In a separate medium bowl, combine the 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Now, add your cold, cubed butter. This is where the magic happens! Use your fingers, a pastry blender, or even a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until you have a crumbly mixture, like coarse sand with some pea-sized butter pieces. Don’t overmix; we want that texture!
- Assemble Your Crisp:: Pour the apple filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Try to spread it out evenly. Then, sprinkle that glorious oat topping all over the apples. Make sure it’s fairly even, covering most of the apples. I usually pat it down just a little bit, but don’t compact it too much. You want air pockets for that truly crisp texture. This is where your Warm Oat and Honey Apple Crisp starts to look like a real dessert!
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Pop your dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. Oh, and your kitchen? It’ll smell absolutely heavenly. Honestly, the waiting is the hardest part, but it’s so worth it for this Warm Oat and Honey Apple Crisp.
- Rest and Serve:: Once it’s out of the oven, let your Warm Oat and Honey Apple Crisp rest for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the filling to set a bit, preventing it from being too runny when you scoop it. Plus, it’ll still be wonderfully warm. Scoop it into bowls, and if you’re feeling extra, a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream is a must. Enjoy!